diff --git a/scikits/image/io/__init__.py b/scikits/image/io/__init__.py
index 4badbbd6..697ebf6d 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/__init__.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/__init__.py
@@ -8,19 +8,20 @@ from _plugins import use as use_plugin
 from _plugins import available as plugins
 from _plugins import info as plugin_info
 
-# Add this plugin so that we can read images by default
-use_plugin('null')
+available_plugins = plugins()
 
-try:
-    use_plugin('pil')
-except ImportError:
-    pass
+for preferred_plugin in ['pil',
+        'matplotlib', 'gtk', 'freeimage', 'qt', 'null']:
+    if preferred_plugin in available_plugins:
+        use_plugin(preferred_plugin)
+        break
 
 from sift import *
 from collection import *
 
 from io import *
 
+
 def _update_doc(doc):
     """Add a list of plugins to the module docstring, formatted as
     a ReStructuredText table.
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ def _update_doc(doc):
     info.insert(0, ('=' * col_1_len, {'description': '=' * col_2_len}))
     info.insert(1, ('Plugin', {'description': 'Description'}))
     info.insert(2, ('-' * col_1_len, {'description': '-' * col_2_len}))
-    info.append(   ('=' * col_1_len, {'description': '=' * col_2_len}))
+    info.append(('=' * col_1_len, {'description': '=' * col_2_len}))
 
     for (name, meta_data) in info:
         wrapped_descr = wrap(meta_data.get('description', ''),
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.ini b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.ini
index 1584882c..ddc45f33 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.ini
+++ b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.ini
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 [null]
 description = Default plugin that does nothing
-provides = imshow, _app_show
+provides = imshow, imread, _app_show
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.py b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.py
index 1645a3b3..e0237437 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/null_plugin.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-__all__ = ['imshow', '_app_show']
+__all__ = ['imshow', 'imread', '_app_show']
 
 import warnings
 
@@ -9,7 +9,12 @@ scikits.image.io.plugins()
 
 for a list of available plugins.'''
 
+
 def imshow(*args, **kwargs):
     warnings.warn(RuntimeWarning(message))
 
+
+def imread(*args, **kwargs):
+    warnings.warn(RuntimeWarning(message))
+
 _app_show = imshow